Defensive line's goal: get to the quarterback more often

BOURBONNAIS - How important is the performance of the Bears' defensive line to the success of the defense as a whole?

To right end Alex Brown, it's simple: "If we're getting after the quarterback," he said, "it makes it a lot easier for everybody behind us."

It wasn't easy at all last year when the Bears finished 29th in sacks and, as a result, 30th in passing yards allowed.

Adewale Ogunleye, the Bears' left end, says a lack of production by the defensive line last season was at the core of the overall defensive failures.

"The fact that we didn't play well last year, everybody says it's because of the d-linemen," Ogunleye said. "We put that on our backs, and we run with it. (But), if we do well, it's going to be (because of) the d-line, too. So you take the good and the bad, and you say, 'You know what? We get paid to play and play well.' Anything less is unacceptable."

Brown led the team last season with just 6 sacks, 1 more than Ogunleye and Tommie Harris. The 11 sacks by the starting defensive ends was their lowest combined total in the past four years. They haven't had so few since 2004, their first year together with the Bears.

The line's pass-rush pressure was so inconsistent last year the Bears were forced to blitz more than they wanted to, which opened up other holes in the pass defense.

For the Bears' defense to function efficiently, the four linemen have to be able to harass the quarterback without help from the back seven.

"That's always going to be the key," Ogunleye said. "I didn't like it last year. When we blitz, I hate it because one guy is dropping and another guy has to contain, so it kind of restricts you a little bit. I'm going to do whatever they tell me to do, but I'm not a fan of blitzing."

That puts more responsibility on the line, but Brown and Ogunleye, who should be the top sack men, are fine with that.

"We have the talent, and we're mentally strong enough to handle it," Brown said of the line. "We expect a lot out of ourselves. I don't think it's too much at all. We understand that, with the scheme that we run, if we play well, then we'll give ourselves a better chance to win.

"So that's our job; that's what we do. That's a lot of pressure on us, but we have a veteran group. We have a lot of good talent and we accept that challenge. That's fine. We want to be successful, so let's go do it."

Rod Marinelli, the defensive line guru who was added to the staff in the off-season, has made getting to the quarterback a priority. When Marinelli came aboard he expected leadership and a veteran presence in the locker room and on the field from Brown and Ogunleye, and he's gotten it.

"The biggest thing I've been pleased with is their effort, their attitude and their work toward their craft," Marinelli said. "That's really important to me, and that's a great tone to set for the younger players."

Now it's time for Brown and Ogunleye to set the tone as pass rushers.

"When they make changes with the coaches, the next thing you've got to look at is the players," Ogunleye said. "That's just the natural progression. We know that, I know that, and everybody's up for the challenge."

How well the linemen handle that challenge will have a lot to do with how well the Bears' defense performs this season.

Rush: Marinelli added to staff in off-season

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